The Tax Club Lots of Promises, Lots of Money, NO Returned Calls, NO Services New York New York

Unfortunately, I didn't find this web site until it was too late. I got suckered into the Tax Club scheme in Mar '07.

I originally called to have some questions answered about a previous year's limited partnership (LP) tax filing. After looking at it closer I was concerned it was filled out incorrectly. What I thought was suppose to be a "free" 30 minute tax consultation turned into a 60 minute sales pitch. Keith Chanler stated the Tax Club would help me setup an LLC so that I could maximize my tax savings. To do this, they would have their team of corporate specialists and document analysts along with an assigned bookkeeper and CPA work with me to get things moving.

Also included in their service was a review of my past two tax returns, preparation of all my personal and business taxes, unlimited consultation and a website loaded with useful information.

The two year review was to refile my past two years taxes and get addition money back for expenses incurred during my LLC business setup period (supposedly the IRS allows you to go back and deduct expenses that were incurred during a business planning period before the business is actually setup; is this actually legal per the IRS?) And all of this was at a great price of just $1500 for an initial payment and $29.95 per month thereafter.

Because I was skeptical, he said he'd break the initial payment into three $500 payments. Then, in his words, he'd have 30 days to win me over and convince me their service was invaluable. Then if I wasn't satisfied, I could cancel and get a refund.

The first week I got several phone calls to setup a bunch of appointments. I also scheduled an appointment with a CPA (Carlos) to review my LP tax returns. What a waste of time; the entire conversation was spent him telling me I should be structured differently to maximize my return instead of reviewing what I already had; not one of my questions was answered.

He then told me to complete the Virtual Tax Organizer (VTO) and he would prepare my tax returns personally. After spending two hours inputting the same information into the VTO as I had already put into Turbo Tax and still not to the business section, I became very frustrated.

I called him back and left a message; he never returned it. I finally called the customer service number; the rep said he would look into it and get back to me. Three days later I called him back and told him I wanted my questions answered that day or I was canceling my membership. At this point, he finally got somebody on the other line (for all I know, it could have been the janitor) and I would ask the rep a question, he'd relay it to his contact and then pass the answer back to me. Needless to say, I was un-impressed; I thought this was completely unprofessional.

After this incident and some of my other appointments falling through, I called Keith Chanler back to tell him I was canceling. I was also irritated with him as he was the one who was going to win me over in the first 30 days and I hadn't even received a courtesy call from him in the first three weeks. He seemed very upset with the treatment I had received and convinced me he was going to personally get things rolling for me. He setup an appointment with me for that afternoon as a follow-up to get the appropriate departments involved. He never called.

I called the following day and he was out sick. I called back early the next week and he rescheduled our follow-up appointment for Apr 4 (the idea being he'd conference in people from those other departments). Again, no callback. I was out sick the following week and low and behold, no message from my buddy Keith when I returned.

Again, I called him and rescheduled the follow-up meeting for later that afternoon. Once again, no call. I called him the next morning (Apr 24) and as he was in a meeting, he was to call back in one hour. I'm still waiting for that call. Needless to say, it became very obvious he was dragging this out just to get the next $500 monthly installment.

I sent the email cancellation notice on Apr 25 and followed up with a phone call the next day. I was told it would be several days to process my email, as there were several emails ahead of mine (it takes only seconds for them to charge your cc for that initial payment, then you have to stand in line for weeks to get out). I called the following Tuesday (May 1) and this time I was told they never received it. I resent it and cc'd the service rep I talked with. I ask for his name and number as well as the person processing the cancellation request's name and number. At this time I was told that she (cancellation person) could only be contacted via email; even the service reps have to just email her and then she'll call back (it's a testament to how thrifty this company really is when not everyone is afforded the luxury of having their very own phone; maybe they could at least have five people share a line or something). Anyway, I resent the cancellation notice and immediately followed up with a call to the service rep. He said he'd call the cancellation person immediately to make sure she got it (how convenient, she finally got her very own phone in that ten minute period).

Later that day I got the same cancellation of services letter that everyone else gets stating my monthly fees are non-refundable and a refund for my initial payment was submitted but will take 15+ business days to process. Again, stated in this letter: Your request will be reviewed in the order it was received. How many people could be canceling this great service? Also forgot to mention that although originally told the monthly service fee would be $29.95, they billed me at $49.95.

I've found several postings on this website very helpful and am perusing some more ways to squeeze these thieves. I'll keep you posted on any results.

Sean Firestone, Colorado
U.S.A.